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“Of course you can. As long as I have a home, you will always have one.”
“Thank God.”
“But give these men a chance, Angie. They’re clearly all smitten with you.”
“The only one smitten with me is Frank. The others could not care less, and they’re probably wondering why they’re here.” Her nerves skittered. “God, you didn’t tell them, did you?”
r /> “No, of course not. I would never violate your privacy like that.”
“I almost wish Harper hadn’t found the codicil. Then I’d be disinherited and that would be that. Now I have to go through this ‘try to find a husband in two months’ routine. It’s humiliating.”
“I know, honey. I’m so sorry. I hope you know that your father had absolutely no knowledge of that provision in his grandpa’s will. You know he’d never do this to you.”
She shook her head, her hands on her hips. “He was about to disinherit me himself.” Then she softened. “I’m sorry, Mama. I know he never meant it. He told me on his deathbed. He never would have gone through with it.”
“No, he wouldn’t have,” her mother said. “You were his pride and joy, Angelina. His mother’s namesake. He couldn’t have loved you more if—”
Why did she stop? “If what, Mama?”
Maria smiled and shook her head. “Nothing. Nothing at all.” She urged Angie back out to the living room. “You mustn’t be a poor hostess. Go out there and shine.”
Shine? These shoes hurt like hell, and the dress that had fit like a glove in the store was now too tight. But shine she would. She pasted a smile on her face and returned to the sea of men.
* * *
“Annie, I owe you one,” Rafe said at the door of Annie and Dallas McCray’s ranch house.
“You and Tom are great tenants and friends,” the pretty curly-haired woman said. “Dallas is happy to help.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Just a little queasy and hot-flashy, same as last time. The doc says that means everything’s good. Come on in. Dallas is in the kitchen.”
Rafe followed Annie through the living area to the large kitchen in the back.
“Dallas, you know Rafe.”
Dallas stood and stretched out his hand. “Of course. Chad speaks highly of you. I hear you’re teaching Angelina Bay how to ride.”
No longer. She’d find another instructor. Maybe an instructor who could be her husband. The thought haunted him.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your Sunday morning.”
“No problem. The girls are on a day trip to the zoo with their aunt and uncle, so it’s just Annie and me today. She tells me you have a legal problem.”
“Yes.”
“You should know I’m not a practicing attorney. I’m licensed and I know a little, but my work is here on the ranch.”
“Yeah, I understand. But I need some guidance, and you seemed the most likely choice. I mean, you’re my boss’s brother and all, and Annie’s my landlord, so I figured I had an in.”
Dallas laughed. “You want some coffee? Or herb tea? Annie doesn’t drink coffee.”
“Coffee would be great, thanks.”
“I’ll get it, hon,” Annie said. “You two go ahead and talk.”
Annie poured a cup of coffee and set it on the table. “Come on and sit down.”
